DENHAM

Denham is occasionally referred to as the ‘Lancashire Lawrencefield’, the comparison is quite striking; west-facing gritstone, easy of access, containing a smelly pond, and a good selection of climbs across the grades. Many folks call in here just once to tick the local classic of Mohammed the Mad Monk of Moorside Home for Mental Misfits - the longest route name on grit for nearly twenty years until Clive Coolhead came along and stole the crown. Having made the effort to get here it is well worth sampling more, especially some of the routes around the pool. These are generally slabby and rather bold, but there are some cracking pitches, all most all of which are well worth the effort. There is also some useful bouldering (slabby and fingery) on the short walls just to the left of the pool and to the right of the base of the groove taken by Mohammed.
The rock continues northward from the Pool Area where there are another 50 or so pitches, and although not of the quality of those round the pool there are one or two offerings worth seeking out. At the far end are a series of steep imposing overhangs and to the right of this are some pleasant slabby buttresses, suitable perhaps for beginners.